System and method for detecting the presence of an object

ABSTRACT

A system, method and mirror are provided in order to more reliably detect the presence of an object, such as a person. In the context of a system, the system includes a sensor configured to emit signals having a predefined wavelength and to detect a reflection of the signals having the predefined wavelength. The system also includes a reflective panel positioned relative to the sensor such that the signals emitted by the sensor are directed toward the reflected panel. The system further includes a filter associated with the reflective panel and positioned relative to the sensor such that the signals emitted by the sensor are also directed toward the filter. The filter is configured to attenuate at least signals having the predefined wavelength.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

An example embodiment relates generally to a system and method ofreliably detecting the presence of an object and, more particularly, toa system, a method and an associated mirror that utilizes a filterassociated with a reflective panel in order to attenuate at least someof the signals that are otherwise utilized to detect the presence of anobject, such as in an instance in which the signals are incident uponthe mirror due to the absence of an object, in order to avoidmisinterpretation of signals reflected from a mirror as being indicativeof the presence of an object.

BACKGROUND

Sensors, such as infrared (IR) sensors, are utilized to detect thepresence of an object, such as a person. For example, IR sensors may beutilized in conjunction with sinks and toilets in order to detect thepresence of a person in proximity thereto. In an instance in which asensor associated with a sink detects the presence of a person, such asa person holding his or her hands under the faucet of the sink, thesensor may provide an output signal that causes the faucet to beactivated and to dispense water, such as for a predefined period of timewhile the person who has been detected washes their hands. As anotherexample, a sensor associated with a toilet may be configured to providean output signal that causes the toilet to flush in an instance in whicha person whose presence was previously detected in proximity to thetoilet is no longer detected to be proximate the toilet.

Sensors are generally configured to detect the presence of an object,such as a person, based upon the detection of signals that wereoriginally emitted by the sensor and were then reflected or scattered byan object, such as a person, in the vicinity of the sensor. The sensormay be configured to detect a person within a predefined range of thesensor with different ranges associated with different applications.With respect to the sensor associated with a sink, for example, thepredefined range may be relatively small such that the presence of theperson will be detected in an instance in which the person places herhands under the faucet, but not in an instance in which the person ismerely standing in front of the sink with their hands at their side.

By associating sensors that are configured to detect the presence of anobject, such as a person, with sinks and toilets, the sinks and toiletsare more frequently capable of hands-free operation. As the hands-freeoperation of sinks and toilets may increase the convenience with whichsinks and toilets are utilized and may also decrease the transmission ofgerms that might otherwise occur by touching the knobs, handles orlevers associated with the sinks and toilets, sensors are increasinglybeing associated with sinks and toilets.

With the increasing use of sensors in conjunction with sinks andtoilets, sensors may sometimes be utilized in environments, such asrelatively small lavatories, in which a mirror is positioned across fromthe sink or toilet. In these environments and in an instance in whichthere is no object, such as no person, standing between sensor and themirror, the signals emitted by the sensor impinge upon the mirror andare reflected in such a manner as to be captured by the sensor, such asa detector of the sensor. Based upon the detection of the reflectedsignals, the sensor may incorrectly identify the presence of an object,such as a person, since the detection of reflected signals is alsoindicative of the presence of the object. As such, the sensor maygenerate an output signal that triggers the same operation that would betriggered in an instance in which the presence of an object, such as aperson, is detected, such as by turning on the water even though thereis no person positioned proximate the sink.

In these situations, the mirror may sometimes be moved, repositioned, orangled relative to the sensor so as to no longer reflect the signalsemitted by the sensor in such a manner as to be captured by the sensor.Thus, this relocation of the mirror may avoid the false identificationof the presence of an object, such as a person. However, certainenvironments, such as the lavatories onboard an aircraft, a cruise ship,a train, or the like, may have only limited locations in which a mirrormay be placed and it may therefore not be feasible to reposition themirror to the extent necessary to avoid the reflectance of signals tothe sensor and the corresponding potential of incorrectly identifyingthe presence of an object, such as a person.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system and method are provided in accordance with an exampleembodiment in order to more reliably detect the presence of an object,such as a person. In this regard, the system and method of an exampleembodiment attenuates at least some of the signals emitted by a sensorthat otherwise would have been reflected from a reflective panel, suchas a mirror, and returned to the sensor, thereby reducing the likelihoodthat the sensor will incorrectly detect the presence of an object, suchas a person. Thus, by associating a filter that provides for theattenuation of at least some of the signals with a reflective panel,such a mirror, the reflective panel may be positioned in alignment withthe sensor, such as on an opposite wall from the sensor, without causingthe sensor to falsely detect the presence of an object. Consequently,the system and method of an example embodiment facilitate theco-location of a sensor and a reflective panel, such as a mirror, in anenvironment that requires the sensor and the reflective panel to bedisposed in an aligned facing relationship, such as on the opposedsidewalls of a lavatory.

In an example embodiment, a system is provided for detecting thepresence of an object. The system includes a sensor configured to emitsignals having a predefined wavelength and to detect a reflection of thesignals having the predefined wavelength. The system also includes areflective panel positioned relative to the sensor such that the signalsemitted by the sensor are directed toward the reflected panel. Thesystem further includes a filter associated with the reflective paneland positioned relative to the sensor such that the signals emitted bythe sensor are also directed toward the filter. The filter is configuredto attenuate at least signals having the predefined wavelength.

The reflective panel of an example embodiment comprises a mirrorincluding an at least partially transparent layer and a reflecting layerpositioned as a backing to the at least partially transparent layer. Thefilter of one example embodiment is disposed on a surface of the atleast partially transparent layer that faces away from the reflectinglayer and toward the sensor. Alternatively, the filter of anotherexample embodiment is disposed between the at least partiallytransparent layer and the reflecting layer. In an example embodiment,the filter is disposed on only a portion of the reflective panel suchthat other portions of the reflective panel are free of the filter. Inthis example embodiment, the portion of the reflective panel on whichthe filter is disposed includes the portion of the reflective paneltoward which the signals emitted by the sensor are directed. The filterof an example embodiment includes a bandpass filter that is alsoconfigured to allow visible light to pass thereto with less attenuationthan that experienced by the signals having the predefined wavelength.In this example embodiment, the predefined wavelength may include aninfrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) wavelength such that the filter isconfigured to attenuate at least IR or NIR signals. The filter of anexample embodiment includes ink that is configured to attenuate at leastsignals having a predefined wavelength.

The sensor of an example embodiment is also configured to provide anoutput that at least partially controls operations of a sink in responseto detection of the reflection of signals having a predefinedwavelength. In this example embodiment, the sensor is positionedproximate the sink and the reflective panel, as well as the filterassociated with the reflective panel, are positioned on a surfaceopposite the sink. In another example embodiment, the sensor isconfigured to provide an output that at least partially controlsoperation of a toilet in response to detection of the reflection ofsignals having the predefined wavelength. In this example embodiment,the sensor is positioned proximate the toilet and the reflective panel,as well as the filter associated with the reflective panel, arepositioned on a surface opposite the toilet.

In another example embodiment, a method is provided for detecting thepresence of an object, such as a person. The method includes emittingsignals having a predefined wavelength and being directed toward areflective panel. In the absence of the object being disposed between asource of the signals and the reflective panel, the method includes atleast partially attenuating the signals having the predefined wavelengthwith a filter that is associated with the reflective panel and ispositioned such that the signals that are emitted are also directedtoward the filter. The method further includes detecting a reflection ofthe signals having the predefined wavelength in response to the presenceof the object between the source of the signals and the reflectivepanel.

The method of an example embodiment also includes allowing visible lightto pass through the filter with less attenuation than that experiencedby the signals having the predefined wavelength. In this exampleembodiment, the predefined wavelength may include an infrared (IR) ornear infrared (NIR) wavelength. As such, the method of this exampleembodiment at least partially attenuates the signals by at leastpartially attenuating IR or NIR signals. In an example embodiment, themethod also includes operating a sink or a toilet in response todetection of the reflection of the signals having the predefinedwavelength.

In a further example embodiment, a mirror is provided that includes anat least partially transparent layer and a reflecting layer positionedas a backing to the at least partially transparent layer. The mirroralso includes a bandpass filter disposed to overlie only a portion ofthe reflecting layer such that signals incident upon other portions ofreflecting layer do not pass through the bandpass filter. The bandpassfilter is configured to attenuate at least signals having a predefinedwavelength, but to allow visible light to pass therethrough with lessattenuation than that experience by the signal having the predefinedwavelength.

The bandpass filter of an example embodiment is disposed on a surface ofthe at least partially transparent layer that faces away from thereflecting layer. The bandpass filter of an alternative embodiment ispositioned between the at least partially transparent layer and thereflecting layer. In an example embodiment, the predefined wavelengthincludes an infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) wavelength such thatthe bandpass filter is configured to attenuate at least IR or NIRsignals. The bandpass filter of an example embodiment includes ink thatis configured to attenuate at least signals having the predefinedwavelength.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having thus described certain example embodiments of the presentdisclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to theaccompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a lavatory having a mirrorin accordance with an example embodiment positioned on an opposite wallfrom a sink and in alignment with a sensor associated with the sink;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with anexample embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sensor positioned in a wall of the lavatory;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sensor of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is cross-sectional view of a mirror in accordance with anexample embodiment in which the filter is positioned on a surface of theat least partially transparent layer that faces away from the reflectinglayer and toward the sensor;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of a mirror in accordance with analternative embodiment in which the filter is between the at leastpartially transparent layer and the reflecting layer;

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of the attenuation characteristicsof a filter of a mirror in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed, such as by thesystem of FIG. 2, in accordance with a method of an example embodiment;and

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with anexample embodiment in which an object is positioned between the sensorand the reflective panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allaspects are shown. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspectsset forth herein. Rather, these aspects are provided so that thisdisclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbersrefer to like elements throughout.

A system and method are provided in accordance with an exampleembodiment in order to detect the presence of an object. As describedherein, the system and method of some embodiments are configured todetect the presence of a person and, as such, may be deployed inconjunction with one or more fixtures, such as a sink or a toilet, in alavatory. By detecting the presence of a person, a system and method ofan example embodiment may control the associated fixture, such as toturn on or off the water in the sink or to flush the toilet.

The system and method of an example embodiment are configured to utilizea sensor to reliably detect the presence of an object, such as a person,without falsely identifying the presence of an object, such as a person,in an instance in which a reflective panel is positioned in alignmentwith the sensor, such as upon an opposite wall from the sensor. Thus,the system and method of this example embodiment may be configured todetect the presence of an object, such as a person, in an environmentthat is relatively confined and/or that has limited options for theplacement of the sensor and a mirror, such as in the lavatories onboardan aircraft, a cruise ship, a train or the like. The system and methodcan also be used to provide additional design flexibility for lavatoriesin buildings where hands-free fixtures are to be used by allowing amirror or other reflective surface to be positioned arbitrarily withrespect to the hands-free fixtures.

However, the system and method may additionally or alternatively beconfigured to detect the presence of an object in other applications,including objects other than a person. For example, the system andmethod of an example embodiment may be configured to detect the presenceof an object in a manufacturing or inspection environment in which asensor may be aligned with a reflective surface, such as a metallicpart, in at least some stages of the manufacturing process. Thus, whilethe system and method of an example embodiment will be generallydescribed hereinafter in conjunction with the detection of the presenceof a person in a lavatory, such as the detection of a person proximate asink or toilet, this application of the system and method is describedby way of example but not of limitation since the system and method maybe configured to detect the presence of a variety of different objectsin a number of other applications.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a lavatory 10 isillustrated in which the system and method of an example embodiment maybe deployed. The illustrated lavatory 10 is provided by way of exampleas the lavatory may be differently configured in other embodiments. Thelavatory 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes a toilet 12 proximatea rear wall 14, such as the wall opposite the doorway from which thelavatory of FIG. 1 is viewed. The lavatory 10 also includes a sink 16positioned on one side wall 18 and a reflective panel 20, such as amirror, positioned on the other side wall 22, opposite the sink. Thesink 16 and the reflective panel 20 are positioned such that thereflective panel faces the sink and is aligned with the sink.

In accordance with an example embodiment, the lavatory 10 also includesa sensor 24 associated with the sink 16, such as by being positionedproximate the sink, e.g., slightly above the sink, in order to detectthe presence of an object, such as a person. An example object 60 isillustrated in FIG. 8. With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the sensor24 is positioned in or on the same side wall 18 as the sink and isslightly above the sink. As described in more detail below, the sensor24 is configured to detect the presence of a person near the sink 16and, in one example embodiment, to detect the presence of a person'shands under the faucet of the sink, such as in an instance in which theperson is preparing to wash their hands. Thus, the field of view of thesensor 24 extends outwardly from the side wall 18, such as a divergingfield of view that extends outwardly across the lavatory 10 in asubstantially perpendicular direction from the side wall.

In the absence of a system and method in accordance with an exampleembodiment, the sensor 24 may falsely identify the presence of anobject, such as a person, in an instance in which no person is notstanding in front of the sink 16. This false identification isattributable to the reflection of the signals emitted by the sensor 24from the reflective panel 20 which, in turn, is occasioned by thealignment of the reflective panel with the sink 16 and, in turn, withthe sensor positioned proximate the sink as well as the field of view ofthe sensor that extends outward across the lavatory 10. As a result ofthe false identification of the presence of an object, such as a person,that may occur in the absence of a system and method in accordance withan example embodiment, the sink 16 may be errantly caused to beactuated, thereby unnecessarily consuming water and reducing theefficiency of operation.

By incorporating the system and method of an example embodiment,however, the instances in which the presence of an object, such as aperson, is falsely identified are reduced, if not eliminated, withouthaving to reposition the reflective panel 20 relative to the sink 16.Thus, while the system and method of an example embodiment may beutilized in a variety of environments, the system and method of anexample embodiment may facilitate the improved performance of a sensor24 in relatively small lavatories 10 in which the reflective panel 20may not feasibly be repositioned relative to the sink 16 due to alimited amount of available space.

As depicted in FIG. 1 and as also shown in the system block diagram ofFIG. 2, the system 30 of an example embodiment includes the sensor 24, areflective panel 20, and a filter 44 associated with the reflectivepanel. The sensor 24, in turn, includes a signal source 32 that isconfigured to emit signals having a predefined wavelength and a detector34 that is configured to detect a reflection of the signals having thepredefined wavelength. Although the signal source 32 may be configuredto emit signals having any of a variety of different wavelengths, thesignal source of an example embodiment is configured to emit signalshaving an infrared (IR) and/or near infrared (NIR) wavelength. As such,the sensor 24 of an example embodiment may be considered an IR sensorwith the predefined wavelength being an IR and/or NIR wavelength.

In the example application of FIG. 1, the sensor 24 is positioned on orin a side wall 18 in the lavatory 10 and is proximate the sink 16, suchas by being positioned slightly above the sink and being centeredrelative to the sink. Although the sensor 24 may be mounted on or in thewall 18, in various manners, a side view depicting the sensor mounted inthe side wall above the sink 16 is shown in FIG. 3. In this exampleembodiment and as also shown in the exploded view of FIG. 4, the sensor24 includes a bracket 35 that is mounted to the side wall 18, such aswith one or more fasteners 36, e.g., screws or other mechanicalfasteners. The sensor 24 of this example embodiment also includes ahousing 37 that is secured to the bracket 35 by one or more fasteners39, such as, pins, screws or other mechanical fasteners The housing 37of the sensor 24 of this example embodiment includes the signal source32 that is configured to emit signals having the predefined wavelengthand the detector 34 that is configured to detect the reflection of thesignals having the predefined wavelength. In the illustrated embodiment,the signal source 32 is configured to transmit the signals outward fromthe sensor 24, such as in a generally horizontal direction extendingoutward from the sink 16 as indicated by the outwardly extending arrowin FIG. 1, and the detector 34 is configured to receive signals incidentupon the sensor, such as following reflection or scattering from aperson proximate the sink 16.

Although the detector 34 may be confirmed in various manners, thedetector of an example embodiment includes a plurality of detectorelements, such as first and second detectors, spaced apart from oneanother in order to permit the location of the object from which thesignals reflected to be determined, such as by the detector or acontroller 38 as described below, utilizing triangulation. AlthoughFIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate one example of a sensor 24 relative to afixture, such as a sink 16, the sensor that is depicted and describedherein is provided by way of example, but not of limitation, as any of avariety of sensors may be employed, and the sensor may be attached tothe surrounding structure in different manners and in different relativelocations.

As shown in FIG. 2, the system 30 of this example embodiment alsoincludes a reflective panel 20, such as a mirror. In the exampleapplication of FIG. 1, the reflective panel 20 is positioned on the sidewall 22 opposite the sink 16 such that signals emitted by the signalsource 32 of the sensor 24 are reflected back to the detector 34 of thesensor in the absence of an object, such as a person, standing betweenthe sensor and the reflective panel. The reflective panel 20, such as amirror, includes an at least partially transparent layer 40 and areflecting layer 42 positioned as a backing to the at least partialtransparent layer. Although the at least partially transparent layer 40may be formed of various materials including glass, the at leastpartially transparent layer of an example embodiment is a polycarbonatelayer that forms the exterior surface of the reflective panel 20.Likewise, the reflecting layer 42 that is positioned as a backing to theat least partially transparent layer 40 may be formed of variousmaterials. In an example embodiment, however, the reflecting layer 42 isformed from silver or aluminum that is sprayed or otherwise applied tothe at least partially transparent layer 40.

In addition to the at least partially transparent layer 40 and thereflecting layer 42 positioned as a backing to the at least partiallytransparent layer, the reflective panel 20 of an example embodiment alsoincludes a filter 44, such as a bandpass filter. The filter 44 isconfigured to attenuate at least signals having the predefinedwavelength, such as IR and/or NIR signals, while allowing signals havingdifferent wavelengths, such as visible light, to pass therethrough withless attenuation than that experienced by signals having the predefinedwavelength. For example, the filter 44 may be configured to pass visiblelight with only a minimal amount of, if any, attenuation. The filter 44of an example embodiment is also disposed so as to overlay only aportion of the reflecting layer 42, but not other portions of thereflecting layer. Thus, signals incident upon the other portions of thereflecting layer 42 are not incident upon and do not pass through thefilter 44. In this regard, the filter 44 of an example embodiment isdisposed so as to overlay that portion of the reflecting layer 42 uponwhich the signals emitted by the sensor 24 are incident in the absenceof an object, such as a person, positioned between the sensor and thereflective panel 20. In this example embodiment, the filter 44 does notoverlie other portions of the reflecting layer 42 upon which signalsemitted by the sensor 24 are not incident.

FIG. 5A illustrates a reflective panel 20, such as a mirror, inaccordance with one example embodiment. The reflective panel 20 of thisexample embodiment includes an at least partially transparent layer 40and a reflecting layer 42 positioned as a backing to the at leastpartially transparent layer. The reflective panel 20 of this exampleembodiment also includes a filter 44, such as a bandpass filter, that isdisposed on the surface of the at least partially transparent layer 40that faces away from the reflecting layer 42. In the illustratedembodiment, the filter 44 therefore forms a portion of the exteriorsurface of the reflective panel 20 and, in conjunction with the exampleapplication of FIG. 1, would face the sink 16 and the sensor 24 suchthat signals emitted by the sensor may be incident thereupon asindicated by the leftwardly extending directional arrow. In analternative embodiment, the reflective panel 20, such as the mirror, ofFIG. 5B again includes an at least partially transparent layer 40 and areflecting layer 42 positioned as a backing to the at least partiallytransparent layer. However, the filter 44, such as the bandpass filter,of this example embodiment is disposed between the at least partiallytransparent layer 40 and the reflecting layer 42. Thus, the filter 44 ofthis example of embodiment is sandwiched between the at least partiallytransparent layer 40 and the reflecting layer 42 such that signalsemitted by the sensor 24 may again be incident thereupon after havingpassed through the at least partially transparent layer as shown by theleftwardly extending directional arrow.

The filter 44 may be formed in various manners. In an exampleembodiment, however, the filter 44, such as a bandpass filter, of thealternative embodiments depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, is formed of inkthat is configured to attenuate at least signals that have thepredefined wavelength. In this regard, the ink that forms the filter 44may be applied via a silk screening process. However, the ink that formsthe filter 44 may be applied in other manners, such as by ink jetprinting or the like.

As noted above, the filter 44 is configured to attenuate at leastsignals having the predefined wavelength, but allows signals of otherwavelengths, such as visible light, to pass therethrough with lessattenuation than that experienced by the signals having the predefinedwavelength, such as no or very little attenuation. In an embodiment towhich the predefined wavelength is an IR or NIR wavelength, the filter44 is configured to attenuate at least IR and/or NIR signals and may,for example, have attenuation characteristics, e.g., the absorbancecharacteristics, as graphically depicted in FIG. 6. The filter 44 ofthis example embodiment is configured to strongly attenuate signalshaving a range of wavelengths, such as by having wavelengths between 700nanometers (nm) and 2500 nm and, in one embodiment, between 700 nm and1000 nm and, in one more particular embodiment depicted in FIG. 6,between 830 nm and 860 nm, while minimally, if at all, attenuating,signals having wavelengths outside that range of wavelengths. As such,the sensor 24 of this example embodiment would be configured to emitsignals having a wavelength within the range of wavelengths that thefilter is configured to strongly attenuate, such as IR and/or NIRsignals and, more particularly, signals having a wavelength of 850 nm inthe example embodiment of FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the operations performed, such as by the system30 of FIG. 2, in accordance with an example embodiment are depicted. Themethod 48 includes emitting 50 signals, at least partially attenuating54 signals with a filter 44 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B), and detecting 56a reflection of the signals, such as in order to control 58 theoperation of a fixture, such as a sink 16 or a toilet 12, as will beexplained in more detail below. As shown in block 50, the sensor 24 and,more particularly, the signal source 32 of the sensor is configured toemit signals having a predefined wavelength that are directed toward thereflective panel 20. As described above, the predefined wavelength ofone example embodiment may include an IR or NIR wavelength. In theabsence of an object being disposed between the signal source 32 and thereflective panel 20, such as in an instance as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inwhich a person is not positioned between the signal source and thereflective panel, the filter 44, such as a bandpass filter, isconfigured to at least partially attenuate the signals having thepredefined wavelength. See blocks 52 and 54.

More specifically, in block 52, the method 48 responds differentlydepending upon whether or not an object 60 (shown in FIG. 8), such as aperson, is disposed between the signal source 32 and the reflectivepanel 20. And, in block 54, when no object is disposed between thesignal source 32 and the reflective panel 20 (e.g., there is an absenceof the object disposed between the signal source 32 and the reflectivepanel 20), the filter 44 at least partially attenuates the signalshaving the predefined wavelength. As noted above, the filter 44 isassociated with the reflective panel 20, such as by being a component ofthe reflective panel, and is positioned such that the signals that areemitted by the signal source 32 are also directed toward the filter.

As a result of the attenuation of signals having the predefinedwavelength at block 54, signals having the predefined wavelength thatare incident upon the filter 44 are not reflected back, at least not inany appreciable manner, to the sensor 24 and, as a result, are notdetected by the detector 34 of the sensor. An example is depicted inFIG. 2, in which signals are incident upon the filter 44 since there isno intervening object. In this example, the filter 44 reduces oreliminates the signals that are reflected to the sensor 24, as indicatedby the dashed line extending from the filter to the detector 34.

However, as shown in block 56 of FIG. 7, the sensor 24, such as thedetector 34, is configured to detect the reflection of the signalshaving the predefined wavelength in response to the presence of theobject, such as a person, between the sensor, that is, the signal source32, and the reflective panel 20. In this regard, the signals emitted bythe signal source 32 including the signals having the predefinedwavelength may be reflected and scattered by the object, such as theperson, with the reflected and scattered signals captured by thedetector 34 without ever being incident upon the reflective panel 20 andattenuated by the filter 44. An example of this situation is shown inFIG. 8 in which an object 60 is reflecting and/or scattering the signalback to the sensor 24. By eliminating any significant reflection ofsignals having the predefined wavelength from the reflective panel 20 ininstances in which there is no object, such as no person, standingbetween the sink 16 and the reflective panel as shown, for example, inFIG. 2, the detection of the reflection the signals having thepredefined wavelength by the sensor 24, that is, by the detector 34, asshown, for example, in FIG. 8, provides an indication of the presence ofan object, such as a person, with a much greater degree of confidence.

As shown in block 58 of FIG. 7, the system 30, such as the sensor 24and/or a controller 38 responsive to the sensor as shown in theembodiment of FIGS. 2 and 8, is configured to control the operation of afixture 17, such as a sink 16 or a toilet 12 in a lavatory 10 inresponse to detection of the reflection of signals having the predefinedwavelength. For example, when it is determined (block 52) that an object60 is not disposed between the signal source 32 and the reflective panel20 as shown in FIG. 2, the filter 44 reduces or eliminates the signalsthat are reflected to the sensor 24 (block 54). Accordingly, the fixture17 is not activated at block 58. On the other hand, when it isdetermined (block 52) that an object 60 is disposed between the signalsource 32 and the reflective panel 20 as shown in FIG. 8, the object 60reflects and/or scatters the signal back to the sensor 24. (block 54).Accordingly, the fixture 17 is activated at block 58.

The controller 38 may be embodied in various manners, such as by beingembodied by one or more microprocessors, one or more coprocessors, oneor more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, one or morecomputers, various other processing elements including integratedcircuits or other specially configured hardware such as, for example, anASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or FPGA (fieldprogrammable gate array), or some combination thereof for conducting oneor more operations described herein. In some example embodiments, thecontroller 38 is configured to execute instructions stored in a memorydevice or otherwise accessible thereto in order to perform one or moreof the functionalities described herein. The controller 38 can alsoinclude one or more components configured to communicate a signal to thefixture 17, such as the sink 16, to activate or deactivate the fixture,as described in more detail below.

By way of example, the sensor 24 of one embodiment may be positionedproximate a sink 16, such as by being positioned slightly above the sinkwith the reflective panel 20 and the filter 44 associated withreflective panel being positioned opposite the sink, such as on a sidewall 22 opposite the sink. In this example embodiment, the sensor 24,such as the detector 34, is configured to provide an output that atleast partially controls operation of the sink 16 in response todetection of the reflection of signals having the predefined wavelength.As the detection of signals having the predefined wavelength provides areliable indication of the presence of an object 60, such as a person,between the sensor 24 and the reflective panel 20, the output providedby the sensor, such as the detector 34 of the sensor, is configured inthis example embodiment to cause the sink 16 to turn on and to cause theflow of water, at least for a predefined period of time, in response tothe detection of the reflection of signals having the predefinedwavelength. While the output provided by the sensor 24, such as thedetector 34, may directly control the operation of the sink 16, such asto turn on the flow of water in response to the detection of thereflection of signals having the predefined wavelength, the sensor ofanother example embodiment is configured to provide its output to acontroller 38 which, in turn, is configured to interpret the output fromthe sensor and to control the operation of the sink, such as in themanner described above.

In an alternative implementation, the sensor 24 is positioned proximatea toilet 12 with the reflective panel 20 and the filter 44 associatedwith the reflective panel being positioned on a surface, such as a wallor door, opposite the toilet. In this example implementation, the sensor24, such as the detector 34, is configured to provide an output that atleast partially controls operation of the toilet 12 in response to thedetection of the reflection of signals having the predefined wavelength.As described above in relation to a sink 16, as a result of havingattenuated signals having the predefined wavelength that are incidentupon the filter 44 associated with the reflective panel 20, thedetection of reflected signals having the predefined wavelength has amuch greater likelihood of being indicative of the presence of theobject, such as a person proximate the toilet 12. In this exampleimplementation, the output provided by the sensor 24 that is indicativeof the presence of a person, such as in response to the detection ofreflected or scattered signals having the predefined wavelength, doesnot cause any action to be taken by the toilet 12. However, in aninstance in which the sensor 24, such as the detector 34, subsequentlydetects that the reflection of signals having the predefined wavelengthhas ceased, such as in response to the person moving away from thetoilet 12, the output provided by the sensor may be configured to causethe toilet to flush. As described above, the sensor 24, such as thedetector 34, may provide an output that directly controls the operationof the toilet 12 or, in other embodiments, the output of the sensor,such as the detector, may be provided to a controller 38 which, in turn,controls the operation of the toilet, such as in the manner describedabove.

By selectively attenuating signals having the predefined wavelength thatare emitted by the sensor 24, the system 30 and method of an exampleembodiment allow a reflective panel 20, such as a mirror, to bepositioned opposite the sensor, such as on an opposite wall 22 from asink 16 with which the sensor is associated or on a wall or dooropposite a toilet 12 with which the sensor is associated withoutpermitting reflections from the reflective panel to cause a falseindication of the presence of an object, such as a person. Thus, thesystem 30 and method of an example embodiment allow for the confidencein the detection of the presence of an object, such as a person, by thesensor 24 to be increased and correspondingly allows for the operationscontrolled by the sensor to be performed with more confidence andefficiency. While described above in conjunction with the control of afixture 17, such as a sink 16 or a toilet 12, in a lavatory 10, a system30 and method as well as the associated reflective panel 20, such as amirror, of an example embodiment may be utilized in a wide variety ofapplications including, for example, manufacturing and inspectionapplications. For example, in a manufacturing or inspection application,signals of a predefined wavelength that are emitted by a sensor 24, suchas a signal source 32, are utilized to detect the presence of an object,but may, in some instances, such as in an instance in which the objectis not present, be reflected from a reflective surface, such as a workpiece being manufactured or inspected, a support surface or the like,that may otherwise cause the presence of the object to be falselyidentified in the absence of the system 30 and method of an exampleembodiment.

Many modifications and other aspects of the disclosure set forth hereinwill come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosurepertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoingdescriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specificaspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intendedto be included within the scope of the appended claims. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A system for detecting presence of an object,the system comprising: a sensor configured to emit signals having apredefined wavelength and to detect a reflection of the signals havingthe predefined wavelength; a reflective panel positioned relative to thesensor such that the signals emitted by the sensor are directed towardthe reflective panel; and a filter associated with the reflective paneland positioned relative to the sensor such that the signals emitted bythe sensor are also directed toward the filter, wherein the filter isconfigured to attenuate at least signals having the predefinedwavelength.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the reflectivepanel comprises a mirror including an at least partially transparentlayer and a reflecting layer positioned as a backing to the at leastpartially transparent layer, and wherein the filter is disposed on asurface of the at least partially transparent layer that faces away fromthe reflecting layer and toward the sensor.
 3. A system according toclaim 1 wherein the reflective panel comprises a mirror including an atleast partially transparent layer and a reflecting layer positioned as abacking to the at least partially transparent layer, and wherein thefilter is between the at least partially transparent layer and thereflecting layer.
 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the filter isdisposed on only a portion of the reflective panel such that otherportions of the reflective panel are free of the filter, and wherein theportion of the reflective panel on which the filter is disposedcomprises the portion of the reflective panel toward which the signalsemitted by the sensor are directed.
 5. A system according to claim 1wherein the filter comprises a bandpass filter that is also configuredto allow visible light to pass therethrough with less attenuation thanthat experienced by the signals having the predefined wavelength.
 6. Asystem according to claim 5 wherein the predefined wavelength comprisesan infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) wavelength such that the filteris configured to attenuate at least IR or NIR signals.
 7. A systemaccording to claim 1 wherein the filter comprises ink that is configuredto attenuate at least signals having the predefined wavelength.
 8. Asystem according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is also configured toprovide an output that at least partially controls operation of a sinkin response to detection of the reflection of the signals having thepredefined wavelength.
 9. A system according to claim 8 wherein thesensor is positioned proximate the sink and the reflective panel and thefilter associated with the reflective panel are positioned on a surfaceopposite the sink.
 10. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sensoris also configured to provide an output that at least partially controlsoperation of a toilet in response to detection of the reflection of thesignals having the predefined wavelength.
 11. A system according toclaim 10 wherein the sensor is positioned proximate the toilet and thereflective panel and the filter associated with the reflective panel arepositioned on a surface opposite the toilet.
 12. A method for detectingpresence of an object, the method comprising: emitting signals having apredefined wavelength and being directed toward a reflective panel; inan absence of the object being disposed between a source of the signalsand the reflective panel, at least partially attenuating the signalshaving the predefined wavelength with a filter that is associated withthe reflective panel and positioned such that the signals that areemitted are also directed toward the filter; and detecting a reflectionof the signals having the predefined wavelength in response to thepresence of the object between the source of the signals and thereflective panel.
 13. A method according to claim 12 further comprisingallowing visible light to pass through the filter with less attenuationthan that experienced by the signals having the predefined wavelength.14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the predefined wavelengthcomprises an infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR) wavelength, andwherein at least partially attenuating the signals comprise at leastpartially attenuating IR or NIR signals.
 15. A method according to claim12 further comprising controlling operation of a sink or a toilet inresponse to detection of the reflection of the signals having thepredefined wavelength.
 16. A mirror comprising: an at least partiallytransparent layer; a reflecting layer positioned as a backing to the atleast partially transparent layer; and a bandpass filter disposed so asto overlie only a portion of the reflecting layer such that signalsincident upon other portions of the reflecting layer do not pass throughthe bandpass filter, wherein the bandpass filter is configured toattenuate at least signals having a predefined wavelength but to allowvisible light to pass therethrough with less attenuation than thatexperienced by the signals having the predefined wavelength.
 17. Amirror according to claim 16 wherein the bandpass filter is disposed ona surface of the at least partially transparent layer that faces awayfrom the reflecting layer.
 18. A mirror according to claim 16 whereinthe bandpass filter is between the at least partially transparent layerand the reflecting layer.
 19. A mirror according to claim 16 wherein thepredefined wavelength comprises an infrared (IR) or near infrared (NIR)wavelength such that the bandpass filter is configured to attenuate atleast IR or NIR signals.
 20. A mirror according to claim 16 wherein thebandpass filter comprises ink that is configured to attenuate at leastsignals having the predefined wavelength.